Adventures in Grandparenting

thankful

In general, I am a positive, upbeat person. However, we all have those periods when things get to us or drag us down.

I went through one of those seasons recently and decided to take some “positive” action against my “negative” attitude. I started a Thankful Journal. I don’t journal, I didn’t keep a secret diary when I was a teen or tween. I tried once, but quickly abandoned it when I couldn’t think of anything interesting to write about. Of course, now I blog weekly about all kinds of things….hmmm.

I started my Thankful Journal with a purpose, rules and a deadline. I was determined to get out of the doldrums, this was my main purpose. My rules were simple and straight forward, I had to write down 5 things I was thankful for every day (I couldn’t miss a day), they couldn’t repeat and I could not use my family in the list. The reason for the last rule was that I already know I am thankful for my family, I was trying to stretch my gratitude muscle. My self-imposed duration for the exercise in thankfulness was 30 days. I figured that I should be able to do it for 30 days.

I found a cute notebook (duh) and began my journey. It was not as easy as it sounds. Some days I was in bed and realized I did not make my thankful list for the day. I wasn’t even sure where I left the notebook. I learned to keep it close and take it to bed with me, so I wasn’t stomping down the stairs at night looking for it. I challenged myself to take it seriously and look carefully at my life to acknowledge the small, wonderful blessings that I have. The first few days were kind of dry and rote. But as I kept at it and searched for interesting things I was thankful for, it became easier.

I found that I was grateful for things like a warm breeze blowing on my face instead of an icy winter blast or that a ceiling fan was finally installed in my bedroom and I can sleep better at night. I realized I am grateful for living in the modern world with indoor bathrooms, air conditioning and hot water running out of my kitchen tap. Things we can easily take for granted. The list goes on and grows as your imagination embraces thankfulness.

The 30 day exercise did help me shake my gloomy state. And yes, I did all 30 days, I didn’t miss any (I did come close though). I also began having more of a grateful awareness in my every day journey.

I encourage you to do your own Thankful Journal – use your rules – then see what you discover about yourself.

I’m just thankful for everything, all the blessings in my life, trying to stay that way. I think that’s the best way to start your day and finish your day. It keeps everything in perspective

It’s been more than 25 years since I designed and constructed a 6 foot long, blue felt Thankful Banner for my family. The goal was to put the items we were thankful for on it, in picture form, so my young children could understand it. I hang it up every year around this time. It stays up pasts Christmas, therefore it gets packed away with the holiday decorations. If I am slow to pull out the Christmas decorations, then the banner is delayed in getting put up (meaning after Thanksgiving). My two boys are both grown, but they expect to see it hanging on the wall. I guess it is tradition and a part of their childhood. When my son got married he noticed when I added his new wife to the banner. Several years later, my daughter-in-law noticed when I added our first granddaughter to the banner. This year we have a new addition to our family and I will be adding a second granddaughter to the things we are Thankful for.

Being thankful is powerful; it can remove a sour attitude, give you an appreciation for life or stir up a sense of hope and peace. It can chase the doldrums away and provide renewed energy. Our family banner is full, but simple. A pepperoni pizza represents food and musical notes represent singing. Our banner has a hot air balloon on it because they are cool and we used to live in the hot air balloon capital of the world – Albuquerque.

Even in the worst of times, there is always something to be thankful for.